Penny Hardaway, whose real name is Anfernee Hardaway, is a former professional basketball player who played for the Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association (NBA) during the 1990s. He was known for his exceptional skills and versatility on the court, earning him the nickname "Penny." Hardaway was born on July 18, 1971, in Memphis, Tennessee. He stood out as a basketball player from a young age, playing college basketball for the University of Memphis. During his time in college, Hardaway showcased his talent and displayed the potential to become a star in the NBA. In 1993, Hardaway was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the first round, but was immediately traded to the Orlando Magic.
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It s weird because the timing on it is, I m now just starting to get into my own as Tigers coach and understand everything that comes along with this and then all of a sudden the Magic job, the people start talking about the Magic job. It s weird because the timing on it is, I m now just starting to get into my own as Tigers coach and understand everything that comes along with this and then all of a sudden the Magic job, the people start talking about the Magic job.
In 1993, Hardaway was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the first round, but was immediately traded to the Orlando Magic. It was with the Magic that Hardaway truly made a name for himself. He formed a dynamic duo with center Shaquille O'Neal, and together they led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995.
Penny Hardaway elevated as lead candidate for Magic coaching position, reports say
Karen Pulfer Focht/AP Photo Penny Hardaway is coming off of an NIT championship at his alma mater, the University of Memphis.
GARY BOGDON, ORLANDO SENTINEL In 1996, Michael Jordan was giving way to the young stars of the NBA, like Penny Hardaway of the Orlando Magic.
Show Caption By Chris Hays | [email protected] | Orlando Sentinel PUBLISHED: June 28, 2021 at 9:22 a.m. | UPDATED: June 28, 2021 at 11:03 p.m.Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway has reportedly emerged as the Orlando Magic’s lead candidate to fill their head coaching vacancy, contradicting previous thoughts that the team would not likely hire a coach without prior NBA head-coaching experience.
Hardaway, who is currently the head coach at the University of Memphis, his alma mater, reportedly interviewed with the Magic this past week. The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported Hardaway’s status as a Magic candidate, citing NBA sources.
Penny Hardaway is coming off of an NIT championship at his alma mater, the University of Memphis.In his June 5 news conference on the departure of Steve Clifford as Magic head coach, Jeff Weltman, the team’s president of basketball operations, talked about the importance of the next coach having head-coaching experience but did not slam the door on those who did not have such experience.
“It’s an important component, for sure, and if you are going to hire someone without that experience, there have to be other strengths that you’re saying, ‘Well, we’re trusting that this will develop because we’ve seen X, Y, Z,’ ” Weltman said. “As you lay it all out, not everybody is going to have everything.
“So, it’s really, and I always come back to this, it’s the person, it’s the fit, it’s the connection and that’s largely what defines a good coach, the ability to connect with the players. For sure, it’s something we’ll be weighing and considering, but that’s not, by a longshot, to say that we won’t hire someone without that experience.”
The 49-year-old Hardaway played for the Magic — who acquired him with the No. 3 pick of the 1993 NBA Draft out of Memphis — from 1993-1999. He still holds the team record for steals in a season with 190 during his rookie year.
Earlier this year, Hardaway — who coaches his son, Jaden Hardaway, a redshirt junior with the Tigers — signed a contract extension that stretches through the 2025-26 season and will pay him just over $12 million over five years. Memphis is coming off an NIT championship and Hardaway’s record since taking over the team in 2018 is 63-32. He has yet to coach his team into the NCAA Tournament.
The Magic have also interviewed San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon, the NBA’s first female coach. Orlando is apparently awaiting fallout from the losing team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks. Should Milwaukee fall short of making the NBA Finals once again, it is thought the Bucks may part ways with head coach Mike Budenholzer.
That could make Budenholzer a top-candidate possibility.
A lot seems to have changed since the Magic parted ways with Clifford. On the day the coaching change was announced, Weltman somewhat downplayed the thought that Hardaway would be a likely candidate for the job.
“I don’t know Penny. I know that, obviously, he’s been a superstar NBA player and he’s part of the Orlando Magic fabric, so obviously we regard him with great respect,” Weltman said June 5. “I think he’s shown to be a talented coach early on in his coaching career, but beyond that, I will not get into discussing names or specifics as we go forward. … I will not confirm or deny coaching candidates we are involved with.”
In 1996, Michael Jordan was giving way to the young stars of the NBA, like Penny Hardaway of the Orlando Magic.
When Hardaway was approached about the job a few days after the Clifford news, he also downplayed the chance he might leave Memphis.
“I’m flattered by it because people are even mentioning my name, obviously because of the relationship I’ve had with the Magic over the years,” Hardaway said. “It’s weird because the timing on it is, I’m now just starting to get into my own as Tigers coach and understand everything that comes along with this and then all of a sudden the Magic job, the people start talking about the Magic job.
“So it’s weird, but my heart is in Memphis. I don’t know what happens in the future. If I did coach in the NBA, that would be a place I would want to coach so, we’ll see.”
As Hardaway said, we shall see.
Karen Pulfer Focht/AP Photo Penny Hardaway is coming off of an NIT championship at his alma mater, the University of Memphis.
Although they were defeated by the Houston Rockets, Hardaway's performance in the playoffs solidified his status as one of the league's elite players. Hardaway was known for his unique combination of size, skill, and athleticism. Standing at 6'7", he possessed the ability to play multiple positions, excelling as both a point guard and shooting guard. His ball-handling, passing, and scoring ability made him a threat on offense, while his defensive prowess earned him All-NBA Defensive Team honors. Unfortunately, Hardaway's career was plagued by injuries, which prevented him from reaching his full potential. Knee injuries took a toll on his athleticism and forced him to miss significant portions of several seasons. Despite the setbacks, Hardaway remained a fan favorite and continued to contribute to the success of the Orlando Magic franchise. After leaving the Magic, Hardaway played for several other NBA teams, including the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Dallas Mavericks. However, injuries continued to hamper his career, and he was never quite able to recapture the magic of his early years in Orlando. Today, Penny Hardaway is remembered as one of the most talented and exciting players of his era. His impact on the game transcended his on-court abilities, as he became a cultural icon and helped popularize basketball globally. Although his career was cut short by injury, the legacy of Penny Hardaway lives on in the hearts of fans and the annals of basketball history..
Reviews for "Celebrating Penny Hardaway's Hall of Fame Induction and Orlando Magic Legacy"
1. John - 1/5 - I was very disappointed with Penny Hardaway as a player for the Orlando Magic. He was way too inconsistent and never lived up to the hype. He had moments of brilliance, but they were few and far between. Hardaway seemed disinterested and lacked the drive and determination to succeed. I expected so much more from him, but he just didn't deliver.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - Penny Hardaway was a major letdown during his time with the Orlando Magic. He had all the potential to be a great player, but he never lived up to it. His injuries and lack of consistent performance really hindered the team's success. There were moments when he showed flashes of brilliance, but overall, he was a disappointment. I was expecting so much more from him, but unfortunately, he couldn't deliver.
3. Mike - 1/5 - Penny Hardaway was a complete waste of talent for the Orlando Magic. He was supposed to be the next big thing, but he never lived up to the hype. His lack of effort and commitment to the team was evident on the court. He seemed more interested in his personal brand and off-court endeavors than giving his all for the team. It was frustrating to watch, and I couldn't wait for him to be traded. Hardaway was a huge disappointment and I'm glad he's no longer a part of the Magic.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for Penny Hardaway when he joined the Orlando Magic, but he fell short of expectations. He had his moments, but he was inconsistent and unreliable. It seemed like he struggled to fit in with the team's style of play and failed to develop chemistry with his teammates. Hardaway's injuries also played a significant role in hindering his performance, but even when he was healthy, he didn't impress me. Overall, he was a letdown and couldn't live up to the hype surrounding him.